Swami & The Coach: Week 9

Swami & Coach Tackle Week 9 With Playoffs Around The Corner

The Swami synopsis entering week 9: Finally, the regular season is winding down, the long-awaited playoff time approaches, and we anxiously await the first round, because that is where the distance will finally be established between the immortal sideline guru, his crystal ball, magic carpet, trusty turban and the not-so-trustworthy cerebral passages of his inevitable nemesis, that one and only ‘Coach.’

But, before we embark on the real, down and dirty, gut-wrenching portion of the high school football season over the next two weekends especially, when the best games are played, we must first tackle one more full regular-season weekend, an upcoming pigskin menu with at least one terrific match-up (Morris Knolls at East Orange) and perhaps a surprise or two.

The Coach’s recap: After a 5-1 week and 23-1 last 4 weeks, The Coach and The Swami have added another 2 games to our pick-6 … err um .. EIGHT! West Essex stunned me, the Swami, Par Hills and the world! That’s what defines a team, when your back is to the wall and you have the entire world against you … and you step it up like it’s your job! The coaches, players and football community at West Essex deserve all the credit they get.

One side note, the Morris Hills-Summit game is key for the Scarlet Knight, both West Essex and Morris Hills. But more importantly, the Morris Hills Booster Club will be doing something a little special – They are holding a food drive at this game (and have done do at all home games this year). For each item you bring, they give you a ticket; the more food items, the more tickets. Food gets left off at the merchandise table. At half-time they draw one ticket and the winner receives a prize. They donate all of our food to the food closet. With Thanksgiving coming and the shelves will be bare.

Friday:
Chatham at West Essex:
The Coach: If there was ever a time where the Morris Hills people would be rooting for Chatham, Friday night’s the night. The fact of the matter is that West Essex is still without Anthony Hayek. Although that did not look like it had any negative effects on the Knights last week, this week is a new week. The simple fact is West Essex’s defense has only let up 21 points over the past eight weeks; that’s right: 21 POINTS! Chatham runs the ball down your throat and the Cougars are very good at it. They work the clock and throw when needed. West Essex does not allow people to pound the ball anywhere when they are on the field. I know that Chatham is a lot bigger, a lot more physical and very much improved over last’s year team that lost to Dover. I know that Chatham was in position to win all their games this season, but the reality is that West Essex is still the class of the IHC and will remain so .. There will be no help for the boys on Gifford. West Essex 21-0.

The Swami: I have to admit I had no clue whatsoever just how one-sided the Par-Hills at Wessex game would be. Instead of simply listening to young Mr. Hayek’s erudite proclamation that his replacements would be more than capable of filling his shoes, I put my trust in a faulty pre-game analysis that the Knights’ performance the week prior at Hanover Park meant a lot. In fact, the real Wessex team took the field in North Caldwell last Friday night in completely annihilating Dave Albano’s Vikings. The Chatham team that comes to Travis Field this Friday night is better than its record, perhaps, but it will not be able to score enough to matter against a Knights’ team that has rekindled its spirit. West Essex 20-7.

West Orange at Montville:
The Coach: The Mountaineers rolled off three straight to get back 3-3, but have since dropped their past two – losses to West Side and Passaic County tech. Getting their offense in gear will be difficult against a Mustang Defense that is basically only giving up two TD’s a game. It also looks to me, and I am no expert on these power points, but the Mustangs desperately need help to get to the playoffs. Ramapo and Teaneck must not win. Montville moves to 5-4 – Montville 21-13

The Swami: Oh, what a difference a year can make. Last year at this time, West Orange was gearing up for its first playoff appearance in many a moon and enjoying one of its finest seasons ever, one that ended with a fine 8-3 record. This season, the picture is entirely different. Injuries, and young players taking over key spots for graduated stars has taken its toll. Quarterback Anthony Casalino still runs Joe Chango’s spread attack with precision, but the weapons just aren’t there over the course of a four-quarter game, especially here against a Montville team that can be a handful for anyone in the Northern Hills Conference. Montville 14-7

Kinnelon at Cedar Grove:
The Coach: There was so much promise at Kinnelon this year. Losses to Morris Catholic and Glen Ridge put a serious dent in the Colts’ armor. Cedar Grove will be happy to add that to a beating. I still say … change your name to the Grover’s! It is time! Cedar Grove 35-7

The Swami: People have questioned the Panthers readiness for what lies ahead in North 2, Group 1, based on the fact the Colonial Hills Conference just isn’t that good this fall. Despite that fact, this Cedar Grove team is very good, and it will be a tough out in the next phase of the season. Here, it’s just too much Mike Risimini, Steve Adams and Drew Evangelista. Cedar Grove 28-6

Butler at Millburn:
The Coach: After watching Butler display their run-and-shoot at a 7-on-7 this summer, I was looking forward to a Bulldogs team that could put up points at will. The Bulldogs can score, but the defense has been overmatched. Say hello to the Millers! Butler – which took a serious slap in the face from its town – needs to light up the scoreboard and walk off the field with heads held high! This one’s for the kids, the team and the coaches! Butler 42-28

The Swami: The sideline guru also was expecting bigger things from the Bulldogs this fall, what with a huge cast of veterans back and a fiery and creative force guiding the troops in Jim Matsakis, but, as my trusted adversary said so succinctly above, Butler can’t stop anyone. However, with that being said, Millburn is in terrible shape right now, with injuries to key players including Division 1-A recruit Dave Stevens, its gifted two-way end. If Butler is going to make a one-night statement in the NHC this autumn, this is the night. Butler 26-14

Saturday:

Morris Knolls at East Orange (The Swami’s GOTW!):
The Coach: Where do you start … with the contrast in styles? With the common defensive strengths? Ladies and Gents, this is the IHC at it’s best. The championship soup bowl and the division crown? Or that this could be the prelim for the Group 4-Section 1 Final match-up!? It’s like that famous spaghetti sauce … “It’s in there!” Knolls will do what they do best … march the ball down the field, bend on D, but not break. My only concern is that Knolls learned from the Morristown game where they gave up two TD’s in the final 4 minutes. Regan and staff are too good and these kids are too well coached. East Orange will make a run at the end, but the Eagles will take home this close one … Morris Knolls 21-20

The Swami: I missed the boat last week by bypassing a chance to pick West Essex when the Coach chose Par-Hills. I’m raising the sail here, and riding off with the stiff wind to my back and sending me confidently, straight into the proverbial, high seas. There is no question Regan will have the Golden Eagles prepared, and in his coach-of-the-year style, he will make adroit, in-game adjustments. But, the talent level brims with Jaguar blue and red. Marion Bell’s E.O. squad is primed to make a run at a North 1, Group 4 title in the next month, and it also is intent on winning a share of the IHC, Iron Divison crown. Daniel Stover and Keion Wade will run through gaps, Akeem Cunningham will catch sideline passes from Quadir Pendleton the Jaguar defense will do enough to slow down the vaunted veer. East Orange 27-14.

Morris Catholic at Glen Ridge:
The Coach: The Crusaders are 4-and-4. I will tell it like it is. I never thought MC would even smell a playoff spot. I had them marked off at 2-6 at best at this time of the year. Coach Lusardi has done a fine job and Krueder has emerged as a fine runner for the Crusaders. Glen Ridge was in a position to walk away from Kinnelon in a bad position, but rallied with 3 TD’s. The Ridgers will not be caught again. Glen Ridge 28-15

The Swami: The terrific job the junior football coaches did the past several years has come to fruition in Glen Ridge, a town where football does have a strong history, including one-time Minnesota Vikings QB Gary Cuozzo and the terrific, late, great coach Bill Horey. The latest group is young, talented, fiery and ready to make an imprint in the post-season. RB Nick DePhillips and the boys will roll here at Hurrell Field against a well-coached but out-matched Crusaders squad. Glen Ridge 32-14

Madison at Orange:
The Coach: Orange recorded its second win of the season against West Milford last week, but the Dodgers will not allow the Tornadoes to go on a winning streak. Madison is definitely in the states, but this game decides who travels where and everyone will be desperately seeking the scores from Orange and Wayne Valley. Madison will be entering the states on a two-game winning streak. Madison 35-7

The Swami: I t’s tempting to go with the Tornadoes, especially with the news that Madison’s best athlete, wide receiver-linebacker Brian McLinden, is sidelined with a shoulder injury, and standout two-way lineman Mike Hall is out for the season with a knee injury. But, Chris Kubik and his coaching staff are up to the task, even in hostile territory, against a talented Orange squad, and a bit undermanned. Grant Foulsham and company can run the ball and talented LB Sean Allen can stop the Tornadoes when it matters most. Madison 20-14

Weequahic at Par-Hills:
The Coach: The Vikings must have been as surprised as everyone when West Essex unleashed its effective backfield committee coupled with an impenetrable defense. Weequahic has been an almost forgotten team this season and Rashon Vines made it a point to remind everyone last week that the Indians are still around. It would be a shame if Par-Hills does not get into the playoffs. This game has no effect on that as the Vikings will be rooting with the Montville fans. Par-Hills does not need as much helps as Montville. Par-Hills 28-15

The Swami: Coach Altarik White is willing to have his team take its lumps in order for his eight starting sophomores to develop and the rest of the inexperienced Indians to grow in leaps and bounds. His senior back Vines had a career game last week against Summit, and he will get his yardage here. The problem is, it just won’t be enough against a stingy enough Par-Hills defense, that will rebound after a very rough night last weekend in North Caldwell. Par-Hills 20-15